Bison briefs

Hockey and men's volleyball

On June 26, Canadian Interuniversity Sport revealed both the men’s and women’s coaching staffs that will lead their respective hockey teams at the 2015 Winter Universiade in Granada, Spain. The biennial, multi-sport event runs from Feb. 4 to 14.

Manitoba will be proudly represented on both sides, as women’s head coach Jon Rempel and men’s head coach Mike Sirant were both selected to represent Canada.

Rempel, entering his 11th season at the helm for Manitoba, was named head coach for the women’s side. This is his first opportunity to be a part of Team Canada.

“I am extremely proud to be representing our country, CIS, the University of Manitoba, and Bison women’s hockey at such a prestigious event as the Winter Universiade,” coach Rempel told gobisons.ca.

On the men’s side, Sirant, entering his 19th season as head coach, was named one of two associate coaches alongside Mark Howell of the University of Calgary. Dave Adolph of the University of Saskatchewan will serve as head coach. This will be the second appearance with Team Canada for Sirant, who was previously head coach at the 1997 Universiade, when Canada won bronze.

“I am honoured and thrilled to be a part of the Canada West team that will represent Canada at the 2015 Winter Universiade,” Sirant told gobisons.ca.

“This is a special opportunity and I look forward to sharing my past international hockey experiences to help our team go for gold in Spain.”

Men’s volleyball

On July 21, 2014, second-year Bison volleyball player Adam DeJonckheere was named to Canada’s 14-man Junior National Volleyball Team. DeJonckheere, who was a member of the 2013-14 CIS All-Rookie Team, had an impressive showing at the National Team Challenge Cup—held from July 15-20 at the Team Canada National Training Centre in Gatineau, Quebec—which aided in his selection.

The National Team Challenge Cup is a yearly inter-provincial volleyball championship, which includes the top under-19 athletes from every province.